2008 election

2008 election

In her new book, Nichola D. Gutgold, associate professor of communication arts and sciences at Penn State Lehigh Valley, argues that Hillary Clinton gained more than she lost in her bid for the presidency. The book, published in July by Lexington Books, is an account of Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, with special emphasis on her communication skills and media coverage, from her sophisticated YouTube-style announcement speech to her ardent campaigning on behalf of her rival, Barack Obama. It covers the stump speeches, debates, and notable media moments in between.

Penn State's Berkey Creamery hand-delivered a total of 120 gallons of three specially named ice cream flavors to Washington, D.C., for presidential inauguration festivities. BaRocky Road, Obama White House and BidenBerry will be scooped for attendees of the 2009 Pennsylvania Inaugural Gala, and potentially to their namesakes themselves, as Barack Obama and Joe Biden make their way around the nation's capital to celebrate at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Three respected journalists and an award-winning journalism critic will visit the University Park campus and discuss "The Press and the Presidential Election: How the News Media Covered the 2008 Campaign" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the HUB-Robeson Center Auditorium.

Penn State students lined up early to vote in the 2008 general election Tuesday (Nov. 4) at the polling location at the HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus. Nearly all students living on campus and registered to vote in Centre County -- except North Halls residents -- vote at the HUB, where 46 voting booths were installed in Alumni Hall. North Halls residents vote at St. Paul's Methodist Church on McAllister Street in downtown State College. Approximately 1,000 students were lined up to vote in the HUB as polls opened at 7 a.m. Polls are open until 8 p.m. in Pennsylvania. For photos from the voting location at the HUB, go to http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1871.

Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin spoke at Penn State University Park on Tuesday night, Oct. 28. Former President Bill Clinton spoke in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 29. For photos of Palin's visit go to http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1866 and for photos of Clinton's visit, go to http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1867 online.

With every presidential election comes a new class of college freshmen, many of whom will be voting for the first time. With that in mind, every four years Michael Berkman, professor of political science at Penn State, offers a first-year seminar, a general requirement for freshman students, focusing on the election. His goal is to acclimate young voters to the electoral process, get them engaged in voting and help them understand the meaning and importance behind that year's election.

Exercising your right to vote will be as sweet as ever this year. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Penn State Food Services is giving away a free patriotic sugar cookie to all University Park students, faculty and staff that stop by the on-campus retail stores with an "I Voted" sticker.

Students and other members of the Penn State community are reminded that Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. All eligible student voters are encouraged to take part in the democratic process by exercising their right as United States citizens to vote. PSUvote.org provides comprehensive information on the upcoming election, including links to numerous useful sites for non-partisan information on candidates. The site also offers a detailed map of polling locations and frequently asked questions about what kind of identification is needed, what can be expected at the polls and what to do if you have a problem voting.

As the race for the White House enters its final, crucial days, results of the second Big Ten Battleground Poll detailing the attitudes of voters in the eight-state Big Ten region, including Pennsylvania, will be released on Thursday, Oct. 23.

A 10-member contingent of communications students and faculty members from Shanghai International Studies University in Shanghai, China will visit Penn State's University Park campus for five days in early November -- just in time for Election Day -- giving the visitors an up-close glimpse at the U.S. system of government.

With Election Day less than a month away, voters are making final decisions as to which candidate they will vote for on Nov. 4. To help voters educate themselves about the candidates and their policies, WPSU-TV/FM is launching a comprehensive, easy to use feature called "Candidate Central" to raise awareness about all races affecting voters in their coverage area.

Penn State's Center for Democratic Deliberation, along with Democracy Matters and the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council, will host two Debate Watches at 9 p.m. Oct. 7 and again at 9 p.m. Oct. 15 in 102 Thomas Building on the University Park campus. These events will bring together Penn State students and faculty to watch and discuss the presidential debates between candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. All participants will have the opportunity to take part in a voluntary pre- and post-debate survey, administered by the Center for Democratic Deliberation. Participants also can sign up to participate in an Internet survey on the 2008 election and have a chance to win an iTunes gift card. Students can take part in a post-debate focus group discussion where they will receive pizza and a gift certificate for ice cream at the Berkey Creamery.